[1972-09-01-AWA-Chicago, IL] Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher vs The Blackjacks (Cage)

[paul sosnowski]

This is from Soldier's Field in Chicago. I thought it was a tag title match, but Bockwinkel and Stevens were champs at this time and defended the belts on this show against Billy Robinson and Wilbur Snyder. It is Bob Luce film footage and is narrated by him. Former boxing champion Jersey Joe Walcott is the special referee.

 

We open with a closeup on the bloody face of one of the Blackjacks. It is really hard to tell which Blackjack is which, and also the difference between Crusher and Bruiser. The commentary doesn't help. Bobby the Brain Heenan is inside the cage with the Blackjacks, standing on the ring apron. One of the Blackjacks get slammed, then it is clipped. Then we see the Blackjacks whip Crusher(?) into the cage. They double team him in the corner, choking him and pounding on his forehead. Lanza runs Crusher into the cage again, they brawl towards the corner. Crusher pounds on Lanza, throws him into the cage and tags the Bruiser. Bruiser arrogantly puts his foot on Lanza's chest and gets a two count. He takes Lanza into the corner, gives Mulligan the finger, Mulligan charges into the ring. We have a four way brawl, with Crusher and Bruiser running and slamming the Blackjacks heads together. Bobby Heenan comes in the ring to check on his men, but he gets tossed into the cage for his troubles. Bruiser and Crusher take Lanza into the corner and they both climb the ropes and consecutively stomp on Lanza. Crusher backdrops Lanza, Mulligan tags in and brawls around. Heenan and the Blackjacks start to climb the cage, hoping to escape the beating. Crusher and Bruiser pull them back down, Heenan takes a swing at Jersey Joe Walcott and gets punched out. Heenan is a bloody mess. Blackjacks try to escape again, but wait...Bruiser and Crusher climb up after them, Mulligan gets his foot tangled in the ropes, but The Bruiser pounces on him, and Joe Walcott counts three. Blackjacks are pissed, Bruiser and Crusher attack Heenan and throw him into the cage, before delivering a double knockout punch. They toss the Blackjacks into each other and exit the cage. Bob Luce tells us that Heenan is vomiting as the Blackjacks try to help him get up.

 

Seven and a half minutes of footage. It was pretty enjoyable, but really hard to judge. Most of the time, I could not tell who was who.